We're getting married!

Emily and Bernardo both say they wish that they met sooner, but they know that God brought them both together at the perfect timing. They could have easily met in 2021 when both were graduate students in the cool air and pines of Northern Arizona University-- Bernardo likes to say that they surely saw each other at Sunday masses now again, never guessing what the future would hold for them! That same year, Emily prayed a nine day novena for her future spouse, finishing on St. Therese's feast day of October 1st. That exact same day was Bernardo's first day on his new job in Phoenix, where he had just moved! And so, Bernardo built his life in Emily's hometown, where she returned a year later after graduation. The stage was set! Fast forward to May 22nd, 2023, and Bernardo and Emily got the surprise of a lifetime when they stumbled into each other online and hit it off immediately! From day one, having wine over dinner at a local pizzeria, everything felt so easy; they clicked. The pair went on one adventure after another, exploring museums, parks, and mini golf courses, laughing everywhere they went. On their fifth date, Emily said to him, “Where did you come from? You fell out of the sky!” He looked at her in amazement and said, “I was just thinking the same thing about you!” The couple only grew closer when, one week into their relationship, their car broke down on a trip to Flagstaff. Stranded together as pedestrians, Emily and Bernardo toured the town by foot and supported each other during the craziness with unflagging optimism. Ever since then, they’ve become inseparable and have fallen more in love every day, continuing on constant adventures-- from touring the local Bookman's to road-tripping to Monument Valley together. And so on April 8th, the day before Emily's birthday, Bernardo showed up with a bouquet of roses and lilies and serenaded Emily with her favorite songs on his guitar. That afternoon, he took her on a lovely birthday picnic at the Superstition mountains with a cake and candles, and in the warm sunset light, got on one knee and took out the ring! Today, they are both giddily counting down the days until their happily ever after, and daydreaming about all the joys to come.